Homemade Backgrounds for Photography Digital Cameras

Fabric backgrounds

• The first step in creating a homemade background for digital camera photography is to purchase a piece of muslin or canvas fabric at least nine feet by nine feet. Muslin and canvas are both thick materials that allow for a better effect than lighter weight cotton materials when using flashes or fill lighting. Use a sewing machine or hook and loop fasteners to create a pocket in the fabric and slide it over a curtain rod to hang.

  To add some color to your background, use fabric dyes to create a variety of colors and designs. Use a tie-dye method to create backgrounds for photographing children or casual portraits. Use a subtle gray or burgundy for a more professional background. Experiment with a variety of dying techniques to give even more options.

  Stuff wadded material into bags to create a more crumpled look to the background and avoid the need to iron before your next photo shoot. Use larger sized pieces of fabric to allow backgrounds to drape over the floor and create a seamless background for full-body poses.

Plastic backgrounds

• If you're creating a background for smaller objects, consider using poster board-sized pieces of plastic. Plastic sheets can be purchased in a variety of colors at discount or craft stores, and they create a wide variety of background options for your photographs. Use a chair or table to secure one end of the plastic sheet with tape. Allow the plastic to curve naturally and secure it to the floor. Avoid bending or creasing the plastic sheets to prevent imperfections in the photograph. Store plastic sheets flat or roll them and place in a mailing tube to prevent them from being creased or damaged.

  Experiment with the flash on your digital camera, natural light, or fill light for different effects with the plastic background. This background method is perfect for photographing product images for online auctions or print media.

Projected backgrounds

• Creating projections for your homemade background is a technique that will maximize your fabric background collection. Download patterns or create your own using photo editing software and print them on 8 ½" x 11" clear projection sheets. Place the printed projection sheet into a clear document holder and position a fill light to shine through the projection sheet onto either plain or dyed fabric backgrounds. Experimenting with a variety of patterns, such as abstract designs, grunge effects, or nature images, can create a huge collection of homemade backgrounds that can be stored in file folders. Use your digital camera flash or fill light to highlight the subject of the photograph.